The Frank E. Bauer Bridge is a 0.19 mile (0.31 km) former toll bridge that traverses the Rock River in Machesney Park, Illinois. It was one of four toll bridges in the state of Illinois. The bridge consists of four lanes, a median and shoulders, as well as a sidewalk which was not tolled. It connects Illinois Route 2 north of Rockford, Illinois with commercial areas of Machesney Park and Illinois Route 251 via the Bauer Parkway and Harlem Road (Winnebago County Highway 25). The bridge opened in 1993. As of 2006, the toll for all vehicles was 50 cents per vehicle, payable only in coins or tokens. I-Pass, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority's electronic toll collection system, was not accepted due to the large upfront costs of installing I-PASS at the bridge. The Bauer Bridge was tolled to pay for bonds issued for its construction, scheduled to be repaid by 2013. Toll collection ceased on April 1, 2013. References Road bridges in Illinois Transportation buildings and structures in Winnebago County, Illinois Former toll bridges in Illinois Concrete bridges in the United States Girder bridges in the United States